Antonio Rüdiger’s six-match suspension will stand after the Spanish Football Federation’s Appeals Committee dismissed Real Madrid’s attempt to overturn the ban.
The German defender was sanctioned following an incident during the Copa del Rey final on 26 April 2025, where Real Madrid faced arch-rivals FC Barcelona. The match, marred by a late altercation, saw Rüdiger throw an object toward referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in the aftermath of a contentious decision.
The referee’s official report described Rüdiger’s behaviour as “aggressive,” noting that the player had to be physically restrained by members of Real Madrid’s coaching staff.
In response, the RFEF’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a six-match ban on the player on 29 April, citing Article 101 of the Federation’s Disciplinary Code, which governs violent conduct and unsporting behaviour towards match officials.
Despite a formal apology issued by Rüdiger across multiple social media platforms, and Real Madrid’s subsequent appeal, the disciplinary ruling has now been fully upheld.
On Thursday, 22 May, the Appeals Committee announced its decision to reject the appeal lodged by the club, determining that the evidence provided—including Rüdiger’s public apologies—was not compelling enough to alter the original judgment.
The committee concluded that the severity of the conduct warranted the full application of the disciplinary measure and could not be mitigated by expressions of regret issued after the fact.
The ruling is a significant blow to Real Madrid, who argued that Rüdiger’s contrition should be taken into account and that his previous disciplinary record, which has been largely unblemished since joining the club, demonstrated that the incident was out of character.
However, the Appeals Committee remained unmoved, reiterating that the integrity of match officials must be protected and that physical or threatening gestures towards them, regardless of intent, would be met with firm consequences.
Rüdiger’s suspension will rule him out of the final matches of the La Liga season as well as potentially the start of the 2025–26 campaign, depending on scheduling. His absence comes at a crucial stage for the club, who are engaged in a tight race in both domestic and European competitions.
Real Madrid have not issued a statement following the latest verdict, but sources within the club had earlier indicated frustration with the disciplinary process, particularly the committee’s interpretation of mitigating factors.
The episode has reignited debate in Spanish football circles over disciplinary consistency and the handling of high-profile incidents involving star players.
While some analysts have called for greater leniency in cases where apologies are issued swiftly and sincerely, others argue that leniency risks undermining the authority of officials and the spirit of the game.
For Rüdiger, the decision brings an end to a turbulent few weeks and a moment of reflection as he prepares to serve the full term of his suspension. For Real Madrid, the focus now shifts to adapting their defensive setup in his absence as they continue to pursue silverware on multiple fronts.
